MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a Burlington City man who fatally stabbed the mother of his child in her Mount Holly home was sentenced today to 50 years in New Jersey state prison.
Rashon A. Causey, 40, must serve more than 42 years before becoming eligible for parole. He was convicted in October following a jury trial in Superior Court of fatally stabbing Shanai Marshall, 37, in her Monroe Street residence on November 14, 2016.
The jury also found Causey guilty of burglary and weapons charges. Ms. Marshall and Causey had a young son together.
At sentencing today before the Hon. Jeanne T. Covert, P.J.Cr., Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Courtney J. O’Brien, who argued for life in prison, said the case “represents the most heinous aspect of domestic violence, and the effect it can have on a person and that person’s family.”
More than 20 of Ms. Marshall’s family members and friends attended the sentencing, including two who addressed the court about the magnitude of their loss.
As both a juvenile and adult, Causey has been arrested 92 times and has 11 prior felony convictions.
“Given this defendant’s enormous criminal history, and the violent way in which he killed the mother of his child, it is hard to imagine a defendant more deserving of the life sentence the State sought here,” Prosecutor Coffina said. “However, the Court’s sentence of 50 years makes it likely that he will never experience freedom again, and that will hopefully afford some degree of comfort to Shanai’s loved ones.”
It was investigated by BCPO Major Crimes Unit Detective Anthony Mikulski and the Mount Holly Police Department.
Anyone who is in an abusive relationship and would like assistance should call the Providence House domestic violence hotline at 1-877-871-7551.